Layer Feed Guide for Backyard Hens
Everything you need to know about layer feed for backyard hens: when to switch, the 16% protein and calcium specs, pellets vs crumbles vs mash, and how much to feed.
Layer feed is the everyday ration for hens in production, and getting it right is the single biggest factor in steady laying and strong eggshells. The formula is built around two key numbers: about 16 percent protein to support the bird and roughly 3.5 to 4 percent calcium to build a shell almost every day. This guide covers when to switch, which form to buy, and how to feed it well.
Below are widely available, well-reviewed layer feeds in pellet and crumble form. Any complete layer feed from a reputable mill will serve your flock, so pick the texture and bag size that fit your birds and budget.
Best Layer Feeds for Hens
Purina Layena Pellets, Chicken Feed for Laying Hens
$26.99 on Amazon
Complete 16% layer pellets with marigold for rich yolks
Purina Layena Crumbles, Chicken Feed for Laying Hens
$26.99 on Amazon
Same complete nutrition in an easy-eating crumble texture
Manna Pro Layer Pellets, 16% Protein with Probiotics
$24.99 on Amazon
Complete layer feed with probiotics for digestive health
Pecking Order Oyster Shell Calcium Supplement
$11.99 on Amazon
Free-choice calcium to back up layer feed for strong shells
What Makes Layer Feed Different
Layer feed is set apart from starter and grower rations by its calcium content. A laying hen deposits about two grams of calcium into each eggshell, which is a huge demand relative to her body size. Layer feed supplies this through added limestone or oyster shell ground into the ration, pushing calcium up to around 3.5 to 4 percent. The protein sits at roughly 16 percent, which balances good production with reasonable feed cost. Vitamins, especially D3 for calcium absorption, and trace minerals round out the formula.
When to Make the Switch
The timing of the switch matters. Feed layer feed too early and the high calcium can damage the kidneys and skeleton of birds that are not yet laying. The rule is to switch at point of lay, usually around 18 weeks, or when you see the first egg. Watch for the signs: reddening combs and wattles, the squatting submission posture, and exploring the nesting boxes. Until then, keep pullets on grower feed. Our starter and grower guide covers the earlier stages.
Pellets vs Crumbles vs Mash
| Form | Best for | Waste |
|---|---|---|
| Pellets | Established adult flocks, cost control | Lowest |
| Crumbles | Birds transitioning from grower, easy eating | Moderate |
| Mash | Fermenting, slow eaters, mixed flocks | Highest |
The nutrition is identical across forms, so this is purely about how much feed ends up wasted on the ground and what your hens prefer. Most keepers eventually move to pellets to keep waste and cost down, but there is no wrong choice. A good no-waste feeder matters more than the feed form when it comes to controlling spillage.
How Much and How Often
A standard laying hen eats about a quarter pound of feed daily, roughly half a cup. The easiest method is free-choice feeding: keep feed available all day so hens eat to their needs, then remove or secure it at night to deter rodents. Larger breeds eat more, bantams less, and all birds eat more in cold weather. Resist the urge to ration tightly, since underfeeding a laying hen quickly shows up as fewer eggs. Our how much to feed guide has the full breakdown.
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Backing Up Layer Feed with Oyster Shell
Even on a good layer feed, offering crushed oyster shell free choice in a separate dish is smart. Calcium needs vary hen to hen, and heavy layers or birds laying in the heat often need more than the feed provides. The free-choice approach lets each hen take what she needs and leaves roosters and non-layers unaffected. If you notice thin, soft, or rough shells, oyster shell is the first thing to add. Read more in our grit and oyster shell guide.
Storing Feed and Keeping It Fresh
Feed loses vitamin potency over time and can grow mold if it gets damp, so storage matters. Keep feed in a dry, sealed, rodent-proof container such as a metal can with a tight lid, out of direct sun. Buy a bag size you will use within a month or two, and check the mill or best-by date when you buy. Never feed moldy or musty feed, as mold toxins are dangerous to chickens. Fresh feed is part of good nutrition, not just a storage detail.
Layer Feed Quick Links
- Purina Layena Pellets - complete 16% layer feed
- Oyster Shell Supplement - free-choice calcium
- Browse all layer feed on Amazon
The Bottom Line
Layer feed is built for one job: keeping a hen laying strong, well-shelled eggs. Switch to it at point of lay, choose the form that minimizes waste for your flock, keep it available all day, and back it up with free-choice oyster shell. Store it fresh, watch shell quality as your feedback signal, and adjust as needed. If laying or shell quality drops across the flock despite good feed, a poultry vet or extension office can help rule out illness. Done right, layer feed makes the daily egg basket reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I switch hens to layer feed?
Switch to layer feed when your pullets reach point of lay, usually around 18 weeks of age or when you see the first eggs. Layer feed contains roughly 16 percent protein and a much higher calcium level, around 3.5 to 4 percent, to support daily shell production. Feeding layer feed too early, before birds are laying, exposes growing kidneys and bones to excess calcium, so wait until you see eggs or until birds are clearly at 18 weeks and showing red combs and squatting behavior.
How much protein should layer feed have?
Standard layer feed contains about 16 percent protein, which is enough for a laying hen on a balanced commercial ration. Some keepers use a 17 or 18 percent layer feed for heavy layers or during hot weather and stress, when intake drops. The protein percentage matters less than making sure the feed is complete and that birds are actually eating enough of it. Avoid diluting good feed with too much scratch, which lowers the effective protein the hen receives.
Pellets, crumbles, or mash for layer feed?
All three deliver the same nutrition, so the choice comes down to waste and preference. Pellets waste the least because hens cannot bill out the fine pieces, which makes them popular for adult flocks. Crumbles are easier for some birds to eat and transition well from grower feed. Mash is finely ground, can be fermented for better digestibility, but spills and wastes the most. Many keepers settle on pellets for cost control once their hens are established.
Do I still need oyster shell if I feed layer feed?
Layer feed includes calcium, but offering crushed oyster shell free choice on the side is good insurance. Individual hens vary in how much calcium they need, and heavy layers, older hens, and birds in heat often need more than the feed alone provides. Free-choice oyster shell lets each hen self-regulate, taking what she needs without forcing extra calcium on roosters or non-laying birds. Thin or rough shells are the clearest sign a hen wants more calcium.
Can roosters eat layer feed?
Roosters can eat layer feed in a mixed flock without immediate harm, but the high calcium is not ideal for them long term and can stress their kidneys. If you keep a rooster or have non-laying birds, many keepers switch the whole flock to an all-flock or flock-raiser feed at around 18 to 20 percent protein and lower calcium, then offer oyster shell separately so the laying hens get the calcium they need. This protects the non-layers while still supporting egg production.
Why are my hens' eggshells thin on layer feed?
Thin shells usually point to a calcium shortfall, even on layer feed. Causes include hens not eating enough feed because of too many treats, hot weather suppressing appetite, older hens with declining shell quality, or simply needing free-choice oyster shell on the side. Disease and certain medications can also play a role. Start by offering oyster shell free choice, cutting back on treats, and ensuring fresh water, then consult a poultry vet if the problem persists across the flock.
How long does a bag of layer feed last?
A laying hen eats roughly a quarter pound of feed per day, so a 50-pound bag feeds about four hens for around five to seven weeks, give or take depending on appetite, weather, and how much they forage. Store feed in a dry, rodent-proof container and use it within a couple of months of the mill date, since vitamins degrade over time. Buying the right bag size for your flock keeps the feed fresh and avoids waste.
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